Struggling with toddler tantrums during quarantine

kara

Hey everyone, so I am just at my wit’s end with this parenting stuff. Really need some advice or just ideas on how to handle it. My kid is almost three years old, and as much as we love them, these temper tantrums are pushing our patience to the limit. With everyone cooped up in the house during this lockdown, it seems like the tantrums have just ramped up. Is anyone else going through this?

I try hard to understand their frustration, I know their world has changed too. No playdates, no park fun; it’s like their little world has turned upside down. So, I get why they’re upset, but I just can’t seem to handle it. It’s all I can do to not match their yelling with my own.

Last Wednesday, right in the middle of a zoom meeting, my angel of a kid decided to have a meltdown that could put a star to shame. My co-workers were understanding but I could feel the heat rushing to my face. Not my finest parenting moment, I’ll admit.

Anyone have any tips, suggestions, funny stories or even just a kind word? Anything to remind me that this is a phase and it will pass. I guess I just need some encouragement that I’m doing the right thing. And I thought parenting was hard before the pandemic! Oh, and wine or coffee recommendations are always appreciated 😉. Thanks, guys!

lsmith

First off, kudos to you for balancing parenting and work during these difficult times. It sounds like you’re doing a great job, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.

Let me tell you, temper tantrums are certainly nothing new under my roof either. What helped us was trying to maintain a small sense of routine. We even made a ’daily activities’ chart which gives my little one something to look forward to each day. And when that fails, we turn on some music and have a mini dance party. Works like a charm to break the tension!

For your coffee (or wine 😉): I recently discovered this lovely Syrah from a small vineyard, and for coffee, you can’t go wrong with a Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. Hang in there!

techbloke

Totally feel ya on the toddler tantrums. They’ve practically become Olympics in my house, sigh. I love your daily activities chart idea, might just steal that one from you. We try to tire out our tots with “Joe Wick’s PE lessons” (a lifesaver) in the morning so they’re a bit more manageable rest of the day, well, that’s the theory anyways.

And, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is my absolute fav! Seriously smooth with a hint of fruity notes, I think, am no coffee connoisseur, just need my caffeine, hah! Might have to try that Syrah tho, sounds divine. Here’s to surviving tantrum terrors one day at a time! Your post just made my day, cheers.

sparky

Relatable, the toddler tantrums are definitely testing my patience. Might give the Joe Wick’s PE lessons a try - anything to wear off some of their seemingly endless energy! And Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, yes! That’s the kick I need in my mornings, can’t survive without it either. Never tasted Syrah tho, might as well give it a shot, seems like we could all use a little bit of divine in our lives haha! Hang in there, we’re all in this together.

kath77

Joe Wick’s PE is a lifesaver, isn’t it? Helps keep them things we call “kids” busy haha. And Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is my lifeline too! As for the Syrah, why not? Experimenting a bit won’t hurt, it might just be your new favorite thing. We sure can use some divine intervention to deal with these tantrum typhoons. Pass me another cuppa Joe! Keep soldiering on, we’ll soon have a breather when the little ones are back to being out and about. And remember, your sanity is just as important! Treat yo’self once in awhile. We got this!